Colouring their way to calm

UNDER pressure at work? Before you reach for a coffee or a cigarette, maybe it’s time to grab a coloured pencil.

Colouring books for adults are being used by businesses to help staff better handle the stress of a demanding workplace and to boost their creativity.

Companies including BUPA, Amaysim and Wesfarmers are embracing colouring-in and doodling to encourage better performance in the workplace.

Simon Hair, the director of Sydney recruitment company Precision Sourcing, is among those encouraging workers to use the left side of their brain.

‘‘When they’re colouring at work, it’s helping them to tap into their creative side – which in turn inspires them to think outside of the box,’’ he said. He started using the colouring-in material in June after returning from a family holiday during which his children were colouring in and he found it very relaxing.

‘‘We are not creative by nature, we are recruiters,’’ he said. ‘‘It is a stressful job.

‘‘Rather than go for the cigarette or coffee, our workers are now using it throughout the day when they are on hold on the phone and when they are on conference calls.

‘‘It has become very popular in our office.’’

Rick Nassar, the finance director of the company, said he was very sceptical about the colouring initiative at first.

‘‘Being in a stressful role, I didn’t have time to entertain the idea,’’ he said. ‘‘But once I understood how it could relax me, I gave it a go. I use it quite regularly and think it’s a good idea.’’

Digital marketing manager Irene Gerardi said she needs to come up with new ideas and uses doodling and colouring-in during her breaks.

Educational psychologist Mandy Ellis says doodling can help the brain stay focused, retain information and grasp new concepts.

‘‘The process of doing something from your childhood, combined with the sense of completing a colouring project from start to finish, also has its feel-good benefits.’’